What has gone wrong with democracy in the US?

Even a notorious pimp was inspired to associate himself with the head of state by calling himself “The Trump of Pahrump”, and got elected to Nevada’s state assembly after death. What has gone wrong with American democracy? What urgent actions should be taken to rectify the flaws and improve the democratic system?

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

In a country with about 500,000 elected officials, plus another nearly 500,000 appointed officials, (Federal, State, County, City, School Board etc. 3,250 counties), it's not unheard of for people to die while running for office, (happened near me in 2018), and some get elected because it's either too late to change the ballot, or for partisan reasons.

Ireland has almost 1,000 County/City Councilors alone, so proportionately Irish and US elected official numbers are not that different.

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

...it's not unheard of for people to die while running for office, (happened near me in 2018), and some get elected because it's either too late to change the ballot, or for partisan reasons.

Using an analogy, suppose you had ordered a pet dog from a shop, and you asked the shop owner to help you look after it for a few weeks while you went for a holiday trip. However, the shop owner delivered a different dog to you after your return because your chosen pet died a few days after you left for your trip. I am sure you would reject the replacement which you had never seen before. At least you want to go to the pet shop again to choose a new pet for yourself.

Hence in the case of the dead pimp, it made no sense for the GOP to get a replacement in the Nevada state assembly without the prior consent of all voters. It would be fair to postpone the election so that all voters could get a good revaluation of the qualifications of the new GOP candidate.

If voters are voting for political parties, not candidates, then any Tom, Dick or Harry can stand for election. The parties can send anything, not only dead men but cows, dogs, even rocks and logs, as their candidates for an election.

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie's for sale…

That's not how US politics works. Every state has their own rules. There's no requirement that party rules, and anyone's definition of common sense, be co-terminus. Parties have to field candidates on the preset dates. Why should all the people who were never gonna vote for the dead guy in the first place, be discommoded just because he died? if the parties don't have a procedure for emergencies that they have agreed with whichever party is in control of the issue then they are out of luck.

As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information.

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

Originally Posted by Count Bobulescu

How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie's for sale…

That's not how US politics works. Every state has their own rules. There's no requirement that party rules, and anyone's definition of common sense, be co-terminus. Parties have to field candidates on the preset dates. Why should all the people who were never gonna vote for the dead guy in the first place, be discommoded just because he died? if the parties don't have a procedure for emergencies that they have agreed with whichever party is in control of the issue then they are out of luck.

Well, every US state has its own rules. However, all people have one rule, that is, to elect the best candidate to serve the country. Don't forget that chap was a notorious pimp. Just ponder these questions. Who wants his son to be a pimp? Who wants to choose a pimp to be her husband? Who wants to choose a pimp to be his son-in-law? Do you think Americans would be proud to have an ex-pimp as their lawmaker?

Fortunately or unfortunately, that chap died early before he could achieve his goal to be another Trump in the White House? Surely no Americans would be proud to have an ex-pimp as their president.

It is questionable for a state or a party to allow a pimp or any immoral character to run for office.

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

Prostitution is legal in Nevada, just like it's legal in the Netherlands. There's little point in you either complaining about a legal activity, or trying to superimpose your morals on a society you are not a member of.......

As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information.

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

Originally Posted by Count Bobulescu

Prostitution is legal in Nevada, just like it's legal in the Netherlands. There's little point in you either complaining about a legal activity, or trying to superimpose your morals on a society you are not a member of.......

If a pimp from Nevada runs in the US presidential election in the future, will you vote for him?

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

You know what they say about answering hypotheticals.....hostage to fortune an all that.....but I'll give you this.

Being either a pimp, or from Nevada, would not on their own be disqualifying in my book. The two combined however?

People forget that Jesse Ventura who prior to being elected, used to prance around a wrestling ring in tight shorts and a long pink feather Boa, turned out to be a very competent Governor of Minnesota, a state with strong Scandinavian good government tendencies.If a wrestler can do it, why not a pimp, sex worker, priest or nun?

As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information.

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

You know what they say about answering hypotheticals.....hostage to fortune an all that.....but I'll give you this.

Being either a pimp, or from Nevada, would not on their own be disqualifying in my book. The two combined however?

People forget that Jesse Ventura who prior to being elected, used to prance around a wrestling ring in tight shorts and a long pink feather Boa, turned out to be a very competent Governor of Minnesota, a state with strong Scandinavian good government tendencies.If a wrestler can do it, why not a pimp, sex worker, priest or nun?

My great friend, what are a big joke to equate a pimp or a sex worker with a wrestler, and worse, with holy people like a priest and nun.

It won't be surprising that you will equate a pimp with the Pope next time.

God bless you. Next time if you meet God in heaven, the first thing He might say to you is "Don't say to me if you can do it, why not I?"

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

It's always a matter of mild amusement to me when Irish people seem surprised that others don't subscribe to their values, moral or otherwise. Just because you apply a litmus test, (godliness) doesn't mean others should apply the same test, or any test at all.

As a general rule the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information.

Re: What has gone wrong with American democracy?

Originally Posted by Count Bobulescu

It's always a matter of mild amusement to me when Irish people seem surprised that others don't subscribe to their values, moral or otherwise. Just because you apply a litmus test, (godliness) doesn't mean others should apply the same test, or any test at all.

Not only Irish, the majority of mankind are rather amazed that you equate pimps with holy people and perhaps the Pope and God.

"What happens when you're confronted with a politician (Trump) who is utterly without shame? You can reveal where he's lied, explain all the facts, and try as hard as you can to inoculate the public against his falsehoods. But by the time you've done that, he has already told 10 more lies." -- Paul Waldman